New Board on Board Soon

The new Capital Metro Board of Directors is starting to take shape. State law passed this session changes the size and composition of the board. All new appointments must be complete by December 31, so the new board can get started in January. If you’re scoring at home, here’s the status of the new appointments:

Small cities elected official representative – Leander Mayor John Cowman

Travis County citizen representative – pending

Williamson County citizen representative – pending

City of Austin citizen representative – pending

City of Austin elected official representative – pending

That’s the short version of where things stand. Now, the details:

The new law will increase the size of the board from seven members to eight. It also reduces the number of elected officials required to serve on the board and adds new requirements regarding the professional experience of certain appointees.

There are currently three openings left that can be filled by individuals who are not elected officials (though the law permits these entities to appoint elected officials if they choose). These appointments will be made separately by the Williamson County Commissioners Court, the Travis County Commissioners Court, and the Austin City Council.

Williamson County is accepting applications until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. Click here for more information.

Travis County is accepting applications until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. Click here for more information.

The City of Austin is still determining the process for its appointment.

L to R: Cowman, Martinez, Fernandez, Langmore

The small cities in Capital Metro’s service area chose Leander Mayor John Cowman, who previously served as the Williamson County appointee. Under the new law, the Capital Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has three appointees. CAMPO appointed Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez, currently one of the two City of Austin reps on the board, to fill the position required to be an elected official; Frank Fernandez to fill the position required to be held by an individual with at least ten years of professional experience in finance or accounting; and John Langmore to fill the position required to be held by an individual with at least ten years of professional experience in executive-level management.

The City of Austin needs to appoint a member of the Austin City Council. Currently, Council Member Chris Riley serves on the Capital Metro Board with Mayor Pro Tem Martinez.